A North Charleston man was arrested in Newberry County with a piece of construction equipment reported stolen from West Columbia.

According to a Facebook post from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, Ryan Lanard Bonneau, 55, was arrested after deputies received a call from a concerned citizen tipping them off about a stolen Kubota skid steer loader. The caller was looking to purchase the item from Facebook Marketplace.

“The concerned citizen became suspicious during the conversations on buying and delivering the heavy equipment,” the post states. “They had been provided a vehicle identification number and wanted help from the Sheriff’s Office to check on the status of the skid steer.”

The loader was stolen over a weekend between Dec. 2  and 5 from a site at 2812 Augusta Rd./U.S. Highway 1 where a Take 5 Car Wash is being built, a spokersperson for the West Columbia Police Department told the Chronicle.

Confirming it was stolen, the sheriff's office began an undercover operation to retrieve it.

“[On Jan. 10 at about 10 p.m.] Bonneau pulled into the Pilot Travel Plaza on S.C. Highway 773 with the Kubota skid steer loaded on a trailer,” the post states. “Deputies and Investigators with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office quickly surrounded and detained Bonneau. During the detention of Bonneau, it was determined that his two minor children were with him.”

The post also notes Bonneau was in possession of $20,000 in cash and a handgun.

Per an incident report provided to the Chronicle, Bonneau told deputies he bought the loader from a “white male in Sumter for $11,000 about two months ago but couldn’t remember the person’s name.”

Online, used Kubota loaders similar to the one stolen are listed selling for $50,000 or more.

According to the post, deputies confirmed the loader was one stolen from West Columbia and informed investigators there about the discovery. 

“We would expect to find criminals involved in this type of activity to possibly be armed with a weapon, however, to bring your two kids, subject them to a felony arrest, and place your children in danger, is just thoughtless and careless,” Newberry Sheriff Lee Foster is quoted.  

Bonneau is charged with receiving stolen goods valued at more than $10,000, possession of a weapon by a violent felon, and unlawful carry of a handgun. The post explains that Bonneau has an “extensive record” and is not allowed to possess a firearm.

Per the post, his “children were cared for by deputies on the scene and then turned over to the [state] Department of Social Services for family placement.”

Bonneau was detained at the Newberry County Detention Center and given a $20,000 bond.

This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.